Tampa is a city on Tampa Bay, along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Tampa is known for its many museums, Busch Gardens amusement park and historic Ybor City, developed by Cuban and Spanish cigar-factory workers at the turn of the 20th century. Tampa is also the home of the Congregation Kol Ami Brotherhood.
Congregation Kol Ami is a kehillah (community) dedicated to innovation and tradition resulting in an inclusive, multi-generational community committed to improving ourselves and the world through ritual, educational and social activities consistent with contemporary Conservative Judaism. The Brotherhood is an integral arm of Kol Ami; throughout the year they engage and connects their members through a variety of educational and social events such as the annual Super Bowl party, Craft Beer Tasting Night, various happy hours/pub nights where they can relax and enjoy a beverage together, an annual Firearm Safety Day (fun AND educational), the annual Cigars and Scotch night and more.
In the words of Kol Ami Brotherhood President (and Florida Region FJMC Executive Vice President) Jon Zimmer, “It’s been an eventful summer for our award winning Brotherhood. I attended the FJMC (Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs) convention last June in Philadelphia with hundreds of other members and clubs from all throughout North America. The Brotherhood of Kol Ami was privileged to win its third consecutive “Quality Club” award. We also won an individual “Torch” award (silver) for our popular and annual Firearm Safety Day.
A group of 85 Brotherhood members and friends unofficially slid into 5784 with a day of MLB to see the Tampa Bay Rays play some last place team from New York (you know who you are), During September, the Brotherhood’s “Chai Guys” met behind the scenes to beautify the shul by doing yard work, pulling weeds, cutting branches and such. The Brotherhood also hosted their 6th annual Craft Beer Tasting Night at Carrollwood’s newest craft brewery; Wulfaven Brewing; the evening included a beer tasting, tour of the facility and an explanation of the brewing process. During October the Brotherhood hosted their annual Steaks in the Sukkah event, followed by their FJMC Torch award winning “Firearm Safety Day” program.
Last month the Brotherhood of Kol Ami took part in the annual FJMC World Wide Wrap initiative; the 5784 program theme was “Wrap for Israel” where Men’s Club members and their families wrapped tefillin in solidarity with Israeli hostages, IDF soldiers defending Israel and their families. The Brotherhood also sponsored it’s annual SuperBowl viewing party.
On Tuesday March 5 the Kol Ami Brotherhood sponsored the spring 2024 edition of TXOKO, the Culinary Club of the Kol Ami Brotherhood, where members gathered to prepare and enjoy a delicious feast with some libations. Members broke up into small groups to prepare varied dishes in the kitchen and social hall. After minyan they all sat down to share stories, more libations and enjoy the feast.
Thursday March 14 the Brotherhood will host a Brotherhood: Hang-Out Night: Torah on Tap. On Friday evening March 29 and Saturday morning March 30, 2024 the Kol Ami Brotherhood and Sisterhood with jointly sponsor a Sisterhood and Brotherhood Shabbat weekend. The Brotherhood is hosting a “Cigars and Spirits Night” on April 18 (more information coming soon). Save the date: Sunday May 5, 2024 for the Brotherhood: of Kol Ami “Man of the Year Award” celebration and fundraising event.
Looking ahead, the Brotherhood of Kol Ami will distribute Shoah Yellow Candles in advance of the observance of Yom HaShoah 5784. This year Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods around the world will also light candles in solidarity with the Israeli hostages and their families. For more information about Yom HaShoah and the FJMC Yellow candle Initiative, please visit https://yellowcandle.fjmc.org/.
Men’s Club is Brotherhood. Jon Zimmer is the President of the Kol Ami Brotherhood of Tampa, Florida as well as Executive Vice President and Yellow Candle Chairman for the Florida Region of FJMC. Learn more about the Kol Ami Brotherhood at https://www.kolami.org/brotherhood.html and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kolamitampa/. For more information about the Kol Ami Brotherhood, please email Brotherhood President Jon Zimmer at brotherhood.kolami@gmail.com.
The Kol Ami Brotherhood of Tampa, Florida is a proud member of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, an interconnected network of over 200 affiliated Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing over 20,000 members throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America and beyond. Learn more about how your Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate at: https://fjmc.org/for-clubs/affiliating-with-the-fjmc/.
The Florida Region of FJMC serves the needs of affiliated Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods throughout the State of Florida. Get to know more about the FJMC Florida Region and our growing network of Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods at www.floridaregionfjmc.org and please visit and LIKE our Florida Region FJMC Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
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